The island is currently administered by Russia, but Japan also claims sovereignty. This dispute is an ongoing source of friction between the two countries.

Iturup is known in Japan as Etorofu (択捉). The island is part of the Kuril archipelago. The disputed islands (which include Kunashir, Shikotan and the Khabomai rocks to the southwest) are known in Japan as the Northern Territories (北方領土).